Paul Pogba to make Manchester United decision

July 12, 2016

Since we’ve last heard news about Paul Pogba, a change seems to have occurred, before the rumours seemed a dream at a distance but now they almost seem to be coming true. Manchester United fans have been waiting for the moment Pogba decides to move back to United, but it almost seems like it won’t happen because it’s seemingly taking so long in the hearts of United’s fanbase. Could Paul Pogba actually move back to United?

According to The Sun, the answer is an absolute yes. Now that Juventus is reportedly more willing to accept United’s (greater) offer than Real Madrid’s, it is up to Pogba himself to make the decision. The same report says that Juventus would still be okay with allowing Pogba to go to Madrid, who offered a world record £95 million for the Frenchman anyways. Pogba would apparently relish the opportunity to work with Zinedine Zidane at Madrid but is also impressed by Jose Mourinho’s intent.

It emerged recently that Pogba may also have a third option; staying at Juventus, where he has reportedly been offered a £130,000 contract. Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, said that he’s greatly enjoyed his time at Juventus and wouldn’t be opposed to staying if a move doesn’t pan out properly for him. Raiola’s words are surely trying to earn Pogba a better deal regardless of where he goes, as evidenced by his deals for now-United players Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Raiola already negotiated the deal for two world class players to move to United this season and United fans desperately want him to complete the hat trick.

Back on topic, though, the three sides to this transfer in the media make this more interesting than initially believed. Juventus is in a position where they don’t need to sell– Pogba could continue developing at Juventus and go for an even greater sum next summer, and unless Pogba actually wants a move he has the option of staying. Another interesting concept is the backup targets from France’s midfield that United, Real Madrid, and Juventus are reportedly eyeing.

United is most heavily linked with PSG’s 29-year-old Blaise Matuidi, who, while he is a good footballer who would suit United’s needs, would likely command a premium fee for a player who isn’t of that calibre or at the age to develop into that level of player. Juventus is targeting Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko if reports are to be believed, while both Juventus and Real Madrid are supposedly targeting Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante. Sissoko just got relegated from the Premier League with Newcastle and would be available for a cut-price fee, while Kante was the best footballer in the Premier League last season, regardless of what the PFA awards say, and has been touted as arguably the hardest working footballer of all time. Both represent more youthful signings for United who have Premier League experience (and good reputation in England too).

It goes to show that there are other options if Pogba doesn’t want to move to United, but if he does, he’s the exact player United needs for Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1 system. Pogba would be able to slot in beside Morgan Schneiderlin (and behind who I believe should be Ander Herrera) and offer the driving, hard-working, creative and aerial midfielder United needs. He’d also be able to function properly as the central attacking midfielder, with Bastian Schweinsteiger next to Schneiderlin in a double-pivot midfield.

With the ability to address all of United’s weaknesses directly at just 23 years of age, Pogba’s bizarre transfer situation seems justified. If it still doesn’t seem justified to you, consider this; Pogba scored 10 and created 16 for Juventus last season. If all goes correctly, there is no reason why Pogba can be the source of 40 goals for United in his prime while being a central midfielder, which is unbelievable.

Though not confirmed, Pogba possesses all the tools to address every single one of United’s weaknesses from last season, and with the goals and assists to add to his drive from midfield, he’d likely go on to contend for Ballon d’Or awards at Manchester United. One thing, though, is for sure, though they wouldn’t be nearly as good for United as Pogba, it would be a great idea to target players like N’Golo Kante and Moussa Sissoko. With the experience and underrated footballing ability to be successful and form a midfield rotation, surely they’d be more successful than Blaise Matuidi in the long run. Pogba may not pan out, and United fans will just hope there is a plan because they seem to have made that mistake before.